The poisonous plants that could harm your children - and the symptoms to watch out for

Although many garden and woodland plants are completely harmless to wildlife and humans alike, there are also some specific poisonous plants which can pose an extreme danger - especially if your little ones come into contact with them.

These plants can be growing in your garden, in the local park or even in woodland areas, so it’s worth knowing what they are and what to do if your child does come into contact them, in order to reduce serious harm.

If ingested, the peace lily can cause burning and swelling of lips, mouth, and tongue, difficulty speaking or swallowing, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea

Poisoning can occur from:

-Eating or touching leaves

-Ingesting berries, blossoms, or roots

-Skin contact with sap or juices

English ivy (hedera helix) is an indoor and outdoor ornamental vine and contains saponins, which can cause poisoning in humans, alongside cattle, dogs and sheep

-Eating soil

-Drinking water from plant tray

These are some of the most common plants which can pose a danger to your child:

Philodendron

Although ingesting philodendron usually has only mild side effects (including a dermatitis reaction and the swelling of the mouth and digestive tract), if a large amount is ingested this could potentially cause fatalities in children.

Arrowhead Plant

This plant is related to the philodendron and is also easy to care for, which is why it’s a common choice for a household plant.

English ivy (hedera helix) is an indoor and outdoor ornamental vine and contains saponins, which can cause poisoning in humans, alongside cattle, dogs and sheep.

Two chemicals in the sap can also cause severe contact dermatitis on sensitive skin.

Daffodil

All parts of the daffodil contain a toxic chemical named lycorine.

The part of the plant that contains the highest concentration of lycorine is the bulb, but eating any part of the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually last for around three hours.

What to do if you suspect your child has come into contact with a toxic plant

Don’t leave anything to chance. If you suspect your child has come into contact with a potentially toxic or poisonous plant you should contact your doctor or emergency services immediately for advice, and don’t wait for any possible symptoms to develop.